98: Managing Innovation -- Burns & Stalker (Part 2)

In 'Organizations in Action', James D. Thompson offers a comprehensive analysis of organizational behavior, classifying organizations based on their technologies and environments. The book emphasizes the importance of handling uncertainty and integrates insights from economics, sociology, social psychology, and political science. It is considered a foundational work in organization theory, providing ninety-five propositions about organizational behavior applicable across different cultures.

Tom Burns and G.M. Stalker's "The Management of Innovation" is a seminal work in organizational studies. Published in 1961, it explores the complexities of integrating new ideas and technologies into organizations. The book challenges the notion that bureaucratic structures are inherently resistant to innovation, highlighting the role of power dynamics and social factors in shaping innovation processes. It introduces the concepts of mechanistic and organic organizational structures, arguing that the optimal structure depends on the context and rate of change. The authors' empirical research, based on fieldwork in British firms, provides rich insights into the challenges and opportunities of managing innovation.